[pct-l] Fishing on PCT

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Greg,
 
This is what I emailed, off list, to Russ. Off list because I wanted to attach a picture.  Now I have deleated the picture.
 
MendoRider
 
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
To: Russell Mease <measerp at gmail.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 9:40 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 47, Issue 23
 

Hi Russ,
 
It depends. Are you planning to thru-hike in one year?  Will you be taking your 0 days on the trail very often?  Most hikers take them in towns. Most aspiring thrus are so obsessed with going light or ultra-light and trying to make mega miles that they would not (do not) carry anything extra. They don't even carry the extra 4.5 ounces of a solar Pocket Shower". I brought a solar shower and also used it to provide gravity-fed water at camp side. I am a rider. It took two years to ride most of the trail from border to border. I did bring what you describe and had no luck. I took my 0 days on the trail - you can't hitch into town with a horse. My journey was over 2008 and 2009.  This year I rode SOBO from Sierra City to Tuoloume Meadows, I part of the PCT that I had trailered around on 2008 because of too much snow to ride safely on a horse. It was June. This time I brought a lightweight telescoping pole and the smallest spinning  reel I could
 find. My fishing tackle weighed about 18 ounces. I had great success because I could cast out to where the fish were. The only mistake that I made was to just bring lures with treble hooks. They worked too well as I did not get to do as much fishing as I had hoped to do. When a trout is caught with  treble you will kill it and can't release it. So, I caught dinner in just one to five casts. Next year I will hike, not ride north from horseshoe meadows to Yosemite Valley. I will also bring flies - some with barbless hooks. Also a bubble so I can cast out into lakes where the fish are.
 
So, my advise is that you consider a two-year thru hike. You will not be pressured to make such big miles. It would not be worthwhile to bring a fishing pole south of Kennedy Meadows (south). Ship ahead to Sierra City and come back in early August and do the Sierras when most of the snow is gone and the lakes are thawed and the mosquitoes are mostly also gone. The weight of the fishing tackle will be worth bringing as you will catch several times more trout, in weight, to supplement your food than that of the fishing tackle. You will want to take your time and will have more fun. The Sierra is one of the most beautiful parts of the PCT. I will attach a picture of my dinner at Benson Lake in the Yosemite Wilderness. That catch took just five casts.
 
On search type in my name and PCT if you want to read about my 2008 & 2009 ride.    ed anderson pct         scroll down
 
Have a great hike!
 
MendoRider/Ed Anderson
 

________________________________
 From: Russell Mease <measerp at gmail.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 47, Issue 23
 
Has anybody who has thru-hiked the PCT been able to catch fish to
supplement their meals?  Are there enough streams and lakes stocked with
fish to even make fishing worthwhile?  I am considering bringing a fishing
line and a few hooks on the trip and perhaps fish on my lay-over trail
days.  What success have people had doing this?

Thanks as always,
Russ Mease
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